We checked out of our Pireaus hotel at about 11:30 and took a cab to the cruise terminal. We knew we would be very early and would have to wait to board. However, when we arrived, a whole bunch of Azamara staff welcomed us to the terminal, gave us a number (1!), asked us to be seated, and await further instructions. We didn’t have to wait very long, and we were on our way through check in and security. By about 12:45, we would be walking up the gangplank to the Azamara Quest. We were one of the first groups of people on the ship. It was kind of weird walking around a nearly empty ship.
Our stateroom wasn’t ready, but we found our way up to the Windows Cafe for lunch. After lunch, we wandered around familiarizing ourselves with the ship. We have been on this ship in the past. Our 2018 Venice to Athens cruise was on the Azamara Quest, so seeing the areas around the ship jogged memories.
Our luggage was delivered to our stateroom at about 4:00. We unpacked, and then it was time for the sail away party on the pool deck.
And before we knew it, we were on our way.
Olivia brings all of the entertainment onboard. There are two shows, one at 6:30 and one at 8:30, so the big decision is show first, then dinner, or the other way around. We’ve decided to see the first show. The first night was comedienne Michele Balen. I think we saw her once before. Some of her stuff was funny, but not as funny as I wanted her to be.
We had dinner and then settled in the for the night. It’s fun being on the ship and we’re meeting some new folks and Christine is getting reconnected with members of the Lifeboat group.
Sunday was a day at sea, so it’s a laid back day. We attended the Olivia presentation about upcoming trips. They raffled off a number of 2 for the price of 1 certificates, but we didn’t win any (darn!).
Later in the day we attended a panel talk about LBGTQ+ life in Israel. In some ways, Israel is ahead of the U.S. in terms of gay rights, especially services to gays and lesbians. Unfortunately, gay marriage has not yet been legalized, although partnerships and couple rights are recognized. Adoption and surrogacy is also allowed.
The evening show was someone named Mikalah Gordon, having become famous from her stint on American Idol.
We were sitting with new friends Shirl and Bette. What’s really funny is, unplanned, after the second song, Christine and I got up and exited via the right aisle, and Shirl and Bette quietly exited via the left aisle. We met outside the Cabaret and laughed seeing each other. Not our cup of tea, obviously, and one of the awful things about the performance was how loud it was. We all had ringing ears. But then we went to dinner and had a thoroughly enjoyable time with Shirl and Bette, lovely women from Florida.
So that ended our day at sea. Tomorrow we’re in Cyprus.
good for you!